Indigenous centre in 'dire' need of help following Windsor flooding

Friday, 13 October 2017, 03:04:44 PM. A centre that provides specialized programming for Indigenous people in Windsor-Essex is issuing a public plea for help after the late August flooding destroyed thousands of dollars in furniture and forced programming out of their normal building for weeks.

A centre that provides specialized programing for Indigenous people in Windsor-Essex is issuing a public plea for help after the late August flooding destroyed thousands of dollars in furniture and forced programming out of their building for weeks.

The Can-Am Indian Friendship Centre has been working out of temporary accommodations while the building they rent out of on Howard Avenue is repaired but that space may not be available after the end of the month.

Hill also estimates that the centre is dealing with close to $50,000 in damage from a $20,000 cleaning bill, roughly $20,000 in flood damaged furniture and equipment as well as about $10,000 in equipment staff bought to work out of their temporary accommodations.

"We didn't have a whole lot of money to begin with," said Hill, who said there was about 10 centimetres of sewage water flowing into the basement during the flood.

The Howard Avenue location for the Can-Am Friendship Centre has been closed since the late August flooding. (Chris Ensing/CBC)

Hill said that the owner of the building is working on restoring the basement but she doesn't think they'll be able to get back into the building before the end of the year.

"We need a landing spot where we can be all together," said Hill. "Once we get a landing spot then we can work on rebuilding the equipment that we have that we need to provide services."

Public Plea

The centre is asking the public for help finding temporary accommodations that can house staff who operate addictions, mental health, homelessness and wellness programs that help Indigenous people in the region.

"There's a lot of people that depend on the programs that we provide," said Hill, who added the centre is doing all they can to meet the needs the community.

The centre had about 10 centimetres of sewage water flow into the building during the flooding. (Chris Ensing/CBC)

Hill explained CAIFC is looking for an 8,000 square foot accessible office and meeting space located on a bus route.

"That's what we need, in terms of where we can go and all be together, that's what would help us."

She added it's important for people to have a secure place they feel comfortable in.

"When people would come to us it's the feeling that this is your centre, this is our centre, we can be here together and we can feel safe," she said, while thanking the Downtown Windsor Business Accelerator and Mason Educational Centre for opening their doors to 21 employees following the flood.

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